Massive genetic introgression in threatened northern crested newts (Triturus cristatus) by an invasive congener (T. carnifex) in Western Switzerland

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_5DDDE2D5EA70
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Massive genetic introgression in threatened northern crested newts (Triturus cristatus) by an invasive congener (T. carnifex) in Western Switzerland
Journal
Conservation Genetics
Author(s)
Dufresnes C., Pellet J., Bettinelli-Riccardi S., Thiébaud J., Perrin N., Fumagalli L.
ISSN
1566-0621
ISSN-L
1566-0621
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2016
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
17
Number
4
Pages
839-846
Language
english
Abstract
Genetic pollution through introgressive hybridization of local species by exotic relatives is a major, yet neglected aspect of biological invasions, particularly in amphibians where human introductions are frequent. In Western Switzerland, crested newts make an interesting case: the Italian species Triturus carnifex was introduced at least a century ago within the range of the native and threatened T. cristatus. To understand the genetic consequences of this introduction and inform wildlife management authorities, we conducted a genetic survey on the remaining northern crested newt populations known in the area, using newly-developed species-diagnostic nuclear (microsatellites) and mitochondrial (control region) DNA markers. We documented massive nuclear introgression by the T. carnifex genome, which has completely replaced T. cristatus in most populations, especially in the Geneva area where the introduction was originally reported. However, many of these individuals retained the ancestral T. cristatus mtDNA, which could be explained by asymmetric introgression between the two species, stemming from demographic and/or selective processes. Analyses of genetic diversity support multiple events of T. carnifex releases, most-likely of proximate North Italian origin. We pinpointed the last indigenous populations in the region and recommend to prioritize their protection. Our study demonstrates the invasive potential of introduced taxa through introgressive hybridization, alerts about the underestimated rate of illegal amphibian translocations, and emphasizes the need for genetic analyses to monitor such invasions.
Keywords
Conservation, Asymmetric reproductive isolation, Hybridization, Invasive species, Amphibian, Microsatellites, mtDNA
Web of science
Create date
15/02/2016 20:11
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:15
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